While many Christians around the world celebrate Easter based on the Gregorian calendar, millions follow the older Julian calendar, leading to a distinct celebration known as Orthodox Easter, or more accurately, Pascha. This is considered the most important and joyous festival – the "Feast of Feasts" – in the Eastern Orthodox Church. While sharing the core belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Pascha possesses its own unique timing, profound traditions, and deeply spiritual atmosphere.
Why a Different Date? The Calendar and the Calculation
The most common question surrounding Pascha is why its date often differs from Western Easter. In 2025, uniquely, both celebrations fall on the same date: April 20th. However, usually, there's a difference due to two main factors. Firstly, the Orthodox Church primarily uses the older Julian calendar to calculate the date of Pascha, whereas Western churches use the Gregorian calendar. The Julian calendar currently lags 13 days behind the Gregorian.
Secondly, both traditions follow the ancient formula established at the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD): Pascha falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. However, the Orthodox calculation includes an additional rule: Pascha must always take place after the Jewish festival of Passover concludes. This combination of the Julian calendar and the Passover stipulation means Orthodox Pascha can fall between early April and early May, sometimes coinciding with, but often following, Western Easter.
The Journey Through Great and Holy Week
The week leading up to Pascha is known as Great and Holy Week, a period of intense prayer, fasting, and solemn liturgical services. It's a spiritual journey retracing Christ's final days, his suffering (Passion), crucifixion, and burial. Services become longer and more reflective, guiding the faithful through these profound events.
Key days include Great and Holy Friday, the most solemn day, commemorating the crucifixion. Churches are often dimly lit, and services focus on the Passion Gospels and the veneration of the Epitaphios, an embroidered icon depicting Christ prepared for burial, which is placed in a symbolic tomb. Great and Holy Saturday is a day of watchful anticipation, remembering Christ resting in the tomb while also celebrating his harrowing of Hades – his descent to free the righteous dead. Services often build towards the expectation of the resurrection.
The Resurrection Service (Anastasi): Midnight Triumph
The climax of the entire Orthodox year is the Paschal Vigil, beginning late on Holy Saturday night. The service starts in darkness, symbolizing the despair and darkness of the tomb and Hades. Around midnight, the priest emerges, holding a lit candle, representing the Light of Christ. This flame is shared among the congregation until the entire church is filled with candlelight.
A procession forms, circling the outside of the church, symbolizing the journey of the Myrrhbearing Women to the tomb. Upon returning to the closed doors of the church (representing the sealed tomb), the priest proclaims triumphantly, "Christos Anesti!" (Christ is Risen!). The congregation responds with a joyous affirmation, "Alithos Anesti!" (Truly He is Risen! or Indeed He is Risen!). The doors are opened, and the faithful re-enter the now brightly lit church for the joyous Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy, celebrating the resurrection. In Jerusalem, the ancient ceremony of the Holy Fire at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre holds immense significance, with the flame miraculously appearing and being shared rapidly among the faithful.
Key Paschal Traditions and Symbols
Several traditions are central to the Pascha celebration:
The Paschal Greeting: For 40 days following Pascha, Orthodox Christians greet each other with "Christos Anesti!" and the response "Alithos Anesti!" This constant reminder reinforces the reality and joy of the resurrection.
Red Eggs: Eggs, ancient symbols of new life, are dyed a deep red. This vibrant colour represents the life-giving blood of Christ shed on the cross, transforming the symbol of birth into one of redemption. Cracking these eggs together is a popular tradition.
Paschal Foods: After the rigors of the Great Fast (Lent), Pascha is a time for feasting. Traditional foods often include lamb (symbolizing Christ), special sweet breads like Kulich (tall, cylindrical loaves) or Artos (a blessed bread), and Paska, a sweet cheese dessert often molded into a pyramid shape.
The Heart of Orthodox Faith
Pascha is far more than just a holiday; it is the very foundation of the Orthodox Christian faith. It celebrates the victory of light over darkness, life over death, and God's love over sin. The resurrection confirms Jesus Christ's divinity and fulfills the promise of salvation and eternal life for all who believe. The journey through the solemnity of Holy Week culminates in an explosion of radiant joy that defines the Paschal celebration, showcasing the profound hope and faith central to Orthodoxy.
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